Atlético Madrid President Enrique Cerezo has downplayed Real Madrid’s new signing, Kylian Mbappé, Soccernet.football reports.
Mbappé joined Real Madrid this summer after leaving PSG as a free agent, ending a seven-year stint in Paris.
This week, a record crowd gathered at the Santiago Bernabeu to see Real Madrid unveil the French international.
Mbappé, a World Cup winner and one of the world’s best players, strengthens a Madrid team that won both the Champions League and La Liga last season.
Despite this, Atlético Madrid are unfazed by their rivals’ big acquisition. Atlético have yet to announce any new signings for the upcoming season, though some players have already departed. The team has returned to pre-season training.
Enrique Cerezo, the president of Atlético Madrid, reassured fans that there’s no reason to worry about Mbappé’s arrival.
He emphasized the club’s achievements over the years, stating, “We all have to be consistent with what we have and the possibilities we have. There are clubs that have more than us and others that we have more against.
“In the last 12 years we have achieved a place in Europe, which very few teams from the five major leagues have achieved in this time and, above all, think that in the leagues that have passed, the Spanish one was one of the strongest. With Messi and Cristiano … and Atlético won two (La Liga).”
Atlético Madrid’s star forward, Alvaro Morata, has been allowed to leave for AC Milan after helping Spain win the European Championship last week.
Cerezo commented on Morata’s departure, saying, “He decided to leave, we did not give him any problems. Everyone plays where they want to play, so there is no problem. He is a magnificent player, captain of the national team and he will be successful at Milan.”
Atlético Madrid finished fourth in La Liga last season and will aim to win their 12th La Liga title next season, a trophy they last lifted in the 2020-21 campaign.